Summer is like one big, ongoing concert in the South Bay, with music in parks, plazas, libraries, up in the hills and of course on the beach. The Hermosa Beach Summer Concert Series is at the apex of the scene, celebrating beach life every Sunday night in August with a mix of nationally headlining bands — think Everclear, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and the Door’s Robby Krieger — attracting a crowd of 10,000 blissed out musical souls as the sun goes down on the beach.
Concert guru Allen Sanford, who has produced the Hermosa concerts for the last 10 years and Music on the Meadows at Terranea the last five years, will take his game to another level with new festivals in October and next Spring at Redondo Beach’s Seaside Lagoon. Though the lineups have yet to be announced, the intention is to create a nationally prominent West Coast music festival.
“I just tried to find a way to contribute positivity to the world,” said Sanford, who owns and operates music club Saint Rocke and several local restaurants but has tapped into a larger vision with this ambitious series of concerts. “I found my niche. The world is in a weird place right now. So if we give 10,000 people an afternoon to forget about their problems and all the bad things happening in the world, then we’ve succeeded.”
Nothing brings people together quite like music, and the scene at any of the summer concerts listed below delivers moments of simple communal joy.
“Every year there is probably one song that is sung where everybody gets in sync,” Sanford said of the Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts. “I think last year it was Everclear, another year the English Beach, Jimmy Buffett — where everyone on the beach is singing the same words, dancing to the same rhythm. There’s just really a beautiful energy to that. It’s really fun to watch.”
The Hermosa Summer Concerts take place August 5, 12, 19, and 26 beginning at 5 p.m.
May 13
Mother’s Day concert
Treat mom to a Mother’s Day concert as the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band plays at the South Coast Botanic Garden. Tickets are free with a garden admission. Adults $9, seniors $6, children $4, students $6, toddlers free. Bring a picnic lunch, a blanket or a beach chair for outdoor seating. No alcohol is allowed but snacks, beer and wine will be for sale. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes. (310) 544-1948.
Pvsband.org., southcoastbotanicgarden.org
May 18
Late Night at the Library
The Manhattan Beach Public Library’s Late Night series features artist Rachel Shimpock and singer songwriter Lisa Richie, 8 to 10 p.m.
June 27
Sounds of the Caribbean
In a show tailored for kids, the Manhattan Beach Public Library features the Caribbean music of Joseph Peck. 11 a.m.
July 1
Concerts in Polliwog Park
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Concerts in the Park, now presented by OneWest Bank. Every Sunday for 10 weeks features live music at Polliwog Park, beginning July 1 with Salute to the Troops. Now its 4th year, Salute to the Troops honors the military service and sacrifice of South Bay men and women in uniform; Navy Band Southwest, a 45-piece ensemble which is one of the Navy’s oldest and finest, is the headliner. New to this year, local bands will kick off festivities at 3:45 p.m.
July 4
Music On The Meadows
Terranea Resort’s annual oceanfront concert Music on the Meadows has become a highlight of the music scene locally, an afternoon that features nationally touring bands such as Big Voodoo Daddy and the Ol’ 97s, farm-to-table cuisine and local breweries. The lineup has yet to be announced, but keep an eye on terranea.com/events/music-on-the-meadows for updates.
July 5
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
The Redondo Beach Summer of Music Festival kicks off on its International Boardwalk stage with TennWest performing from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 7
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Smokin’ Smitty and the Masters of Music perform on the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 8
Manhattan Concerts in Park
The Dropoffs, an R&B outfit, and the African music of Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca are featured at Polliwog Park from 3:45 to 7 p.m.
July 11
El Segundo Music at the Point
The Point in El Segundo kicks off its summer music series with local legends Feed the Kitty from 6:30 to 8:30 in its outdoor plaza.
July 12
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park kicks off with The Motown Thang, featuring singer Angela Carole Brown. The show starts at 7 p.m. but you can save your place on the grass by putting a blanket down as early as 3 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
The Redondo Beach Summer of Music features Beatunes from 6 to 8 p.m. on its pier stage.
July 14
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Dark Desert Highway perform on the Redondo Beach pier 6 to 8 p.m.
July 15
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Local wunderkind Jamison Jarvis and tribute band Petty and the Breakers play Polliwog Park. Music begins at 3:45 p.m. and goes til 7 p.m.
July 18
El Segundo Music at the Point
The Radio Rebels jam 80s tunes at the Point’s summer concert series from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
July 19
Redondo Summer of Music
The Wild Kings play the International Boardwalk in Redondo Beach from 6 to 8 p.m.
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
Malaga Cove’s concert series continues with the Hodads, a Beach Boys tribute band, beginning at 7 p.m.
July 21
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Big Mess play the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 22
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Concerts in the Park continue in Manhattan Beach with the alt rock of Alinea and the classic covers of The Pine Mountain Logs. 3:45 to 7 p.m.
July 25
Show for kids
The Manhattan Beach Public Library features multi-instrumentalist Craig Newton’s “Celebration of Songs” at 11 a.m. as part of its summer programming for children.
Music at the Point
Americana band Barley play the Point from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
July 26
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
Local legends Andy and Renee play Malaga Cove’s Concert in the Park beginning at 7 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
The Summer of Music continues on the Redondo pier with the Laurie Morvan Band from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 28
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
1969 play the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 29
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Fate Unbound, rockers from Redondo Union, and the Afrofunk outfit Jungle Fire play Polliwog Park. 3:45 to 7 p.m.
July 31
Kid’s music
The Manhattan Beach Public Library presents “Kid’s Imagine Nation” at 11 a.m.
August 1
El Segundo Summer music series
The Kevin Sousa Band plays The Point in El Segundo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
August 2
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Franks and Deans perform on the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
Malaga Cove Benoit Concert
Jazz great David Benoit plays a show for his hometown at Malaga Cove’s Concerts in the Park. 7 p.m.
August 4
Redondo Pier Summer of Music
The L.A. Swing Barons play the Redondo pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 5
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Alt rockers Good Vibe and rockabilly band Aileen Quinn and the Leapin’ Lizards play Polliwog Park 3:45 to 7 p.m.
August 8
El Segundo Music at The Point
Jack Dani’s 90s Rock Review continue the music series at The Point from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
August 9
Concerts in the Park
The Peaceful Easy Eagles play Malaga Cove. 7 p.m.
Concerts on the Pier
King Chris plays the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 11
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Danny Dean and the Homewreckers play the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 12
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Local singer songwriter Kato Rose and Beatle’s tribute band Hard Day’s Night play Manhattan Beach’s Concerts in the Park 3:45 to 7 p.m.
August 15
Music at The Point
Rock out with Detour at The Point from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
August 16
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
The Malaga Cove summer concert series continues with Bad Haggis, the Celtic rock band featuring Eric Rigler, the locally-based bagpipe player famous for his work on the “Braveheart” soundtrack. 7 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Identity Theft plays the International Boardwalk as part of the Redondo Beach Pier’s Summer of Music from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 18
Songs of Polynesia
The Manhattan Beach Public Library features “From Polynesia to California: Polynesian Music and Dance” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
C.C. Stugino plays the International Boardwalk in Redondo from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 19
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Classic rockers Minor Problem and Country & Western outfit the Doo-Wah Riders play Polliwog Park from 3:45 to 7 p.m.
August 22
El Segundo Music at The Point
Rockit play top 40 music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
August 23
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
Jim Curry and Company sing the songs of John Denver at Malaga Cove. 7 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
In Contempt play on the Redondo Beach pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 25
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
Like Zeppelin play the Redondo Beach Pier from 6 to 8 p.m.
August 26
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Pop and rock band Pier Pressure and jazz/blues/Motown outfit Blue Breeze Band play Polliwog Park 3:45 to 7 p.m.
August 29
El Segundo Music at The Point
The summer music series at The Point wraps up with the blues and soul of Pink Roach from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
August 30
Malaga Cove Concerts in the Park
Malaga Cove closes out its concert series with the honky tonk of the Cody Bryant Show. 7 p.m.
Redondo Concerts on the Pier
The Redondo Beach Pier’s Summer of Music concludes with Strange Days from 6 to 8 p.m.
September 2
Manhattan Concerts in the Park
Chroma Haze and DSB, a Journey cover band, rock out the final installment of Manhattan Beach’s Concerts in the Park from 3:45 to p.m.
